A decent summary ........

.......... of the (sad) state of the Orioles from:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sportsxchange-teamreports-2008-m...bal&pro

Arrivals: CF Adam Jones and LHP George Sherrill (trade with
Mariners); RHP Roberto Novoa (waiver claim from Cubs); C Guillermo
Quiroz (free agent from Rangers); OF Luke Scott, LHP Troy Patton, RHP
Matt Albers and RHP Dennis Sarfate (trade with Astros); RHP Greg
Aquino (waiver claim from Brewers); OF Chris Roberson (contract
purchased from Phillies); RHP Lance Cormier (minor league free agent
from Braves); RHP Steve Trachsel (minor league free agent from Cubs).

Departures: LHP Erik Bedard (traded to Mariners), SS Miguel Tejada
(traded to Astros), C Paul Bako, RHP Kris Benson and CF Corey
Patterson (all non-tendered).

<snip>

Projected Rotation:
1. RHP Jeremy Guthrie
2. RHP Daniel Cabrera
3. LHP Adam Loewen
4. LHP Troy Patton
5. LHP Garrett Olson

Guthrie, the likely No. 1, pitched better than his 7-5 record would
indicate -- he had a 3.70 ERA in 175 1/3 innings -- but 2007 was his
rookie season. Cabrera led the league with 18 losses and 108 walks,
but his potential gives him a spot that is his to lose.

Adam Loewen was out for the season after six starts but could be a key
man if he comes back strong from surgery for a stress fracture in his
left elbow. There are numerous possibilities for the other spots.

Patton, acquired from the Astros, and Olson, who has climbed through
the Orioles' organization, are considered the best of the group that
includes RHP Matt Albers, another who came from the Astros, and RHPs
Hayden Penn and Brian Burres. Also in the mix is veteran RHP Steve
Trachsel, in camp on a minor league contract.

Projected Bullpen:
LHP George Sherrill (closer)
RHP Chad Bradford
LHP Jamie Walker
RHP Lance Cormier
RHP Greg Aquino
RHP Dennis Sarfate

Chad Bradford and Jamie Walker are the lone returnees because closer
Chris Ray and setup man Danys Baez will sit out all or most of the
season after having Tommy John surgery. The remaining relievers have
been collected from free agent signings, off the waiver wire and
through trades, which means there probably will be a lot of
competition for the jobs.

Brian Burres could be the long man, and RHPs Jim Hoey, Fernando
Cabrera and Rocky Cherry also hope to earn a spot along with longshots
Randor Bierd, a Rule 5 pick from the Tigers, and Bob McCrory.

The group that emerges could prove to be a decent unit with more
potential waiting to be called up from the minor leagues.

Projected Lineup:
1. 2B Brian Roberts
2. 3B Melvin Mora
3. RF Nick Markakis
4. DH Aubrey Huff
5. C Ramon Hernandez
6. LF Luke Scott
7. 1B Kevin Millar
8. CF Adam Jones
9. SS Luis Hernandez

There could be several changes if Roberts is traded, as expected, but
for now Roberts and perhaps Melvin Mora will be at the top and Luis
Hernandez and Adam Jones will be at the bottom of the lineup.

Nick Markakis is a sure bet at No. 3, but the four, five, six and
seven spots are interchangeable depending on production. That group
will include Aubrey Huff, Luke Scott, Kevin Millar and Ramon
Hernandez.

The lack of power is an ongoing problem in the organization. The
Orioles hope that Markakis can continue to hit the long ball and that
Scott, who came from the Astros, a rejuvenated Hernandez and Huff and
Millar can step up. Jay Gibbons will get a chance to share the
designated hitter role with Huff and Millar.

Projected Reserves:
OF Jay Payton
INF Scott Moore
INF Brandon Fahey
C Guillermo Quiroz
OF Freddie Bynum
OF Tike Redman

Picking the right players for the bench will be difficult. There will
be some speed but little power among the reserves. The extra
outfielders -- Jay Payton, Tike Redman and Freddie Bynum -- could be
productive and would provide some speed.

Scott Moore could be a key backup as a pinch hitter. As has been the
case for several seasons, backup catcher Guillermo Quiroz offers
little with the bat, which keeps the pressure on to have a slowing
Hernandez behind the plate too often.

Top Rookies: LHP Garrett Olson, who got his first taste of the
majors while going 1-3 in seven starts in 2007, could lean on that
limited experience to step up as a regular in the rotation. LHP Troy
Patton, acquired from the Astros in the trade for Miguel Tejada, was
one of the gems of the Houston organization despite appearing in only
three games and losing his only two late season starts last year.

Medical Watch:
1B/DH Aubrey Huff (offseason hernia surgery) is expected to be ready
at about the time exhibition games begin.

LHP Adam Loewen (left elbow surgery in June 2007) is expected to be at
full strength for the start of spring training.

OF Jay Gibbons (left shoulder surgery in August 2007) returns for
spring training.

RHP Chris Ray (Tommy John surgery in August 2007) might miss all of
the 2008 season.

RHP Danys Baez (Tommy John surgery in September 2007) likely will miss
the entire 2008 season.